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Question Title: Asbestos checks
| Question: 346 |
| I have just received a 'mail shot' from a company telling me that I will need to carry out an asbestos check on all the properties that I manage. Surely this cannot be correct. I thought that these new rules only applied to public sector housing. Is this really true? Is there anywhere I can get more information?
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| Answer: |
| The regulations cover all non-domestic buildings, whatever type of business is carried out in them, but this will, by definition, cover common areas of residential rented properties, for example in blocks of flats, where there are common areas in hallways, stair wells, lift shafts and roof spaces (see Letting Update, January 2004, p11). The person who has the duty to check is anyone responsible for maintaining and repairing all or part of a property, or who has control of the building. This could be the occupier, the landlord, a managing agent or the owner. Flat management companies and freeholders of blocks of flats will be the predominant parties affected in the residential letting sector. Although the regulations do not become law until 21 May 2004, it will be necessary to start work now on managing the risk from asbestos. If you are a dutyholder you must find out whether your building contains asbestos, and what condition it is in; assess the risk, e.g. if it is likely to release fibres and make a plan to manage that risk. This may require expert assistance. You can get further information from the Health & Safety Executive (website at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos) and the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association [ARCA] www.arca.org.uk.
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References:
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Hyperlinks:
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Letting Update Journal |
Jan 2004 page 12 |
letting-update-journal.html
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For more information, discuss on the Forum
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